When the XC1 first came on seen, a lot of people poo-poo'd it because of its low output compared to the X300U. I told those people they were fucking idiots, because the XC1 wasn't designed to compete with the X300U, but with a bare dust cover. A WML is always an enabler when it comes to performance. The problem is, it's not a free action. Sure, the new smaller WMLs have significant output, far more than the "blinding" 60 lumens that the X200s put out, but with a WML, you now have to deal with maintaining a fresh battery, different holsters, additional bulk (no matter how slight), and additional cost simply to purchase the light. There is additional complexity with switchology and techniques, along with learning to coordinate with your handheld, not to mention issues with your red dot being washed out by the WML at close ranges while potentially blooming too much for anything further if your light lacks throw.

Again, let me stress, I conceal carry a full-size gun with a slide mounted optic, carry comp, magwell, 140mm magazine, and laser/light combo, in all situations that I do conceal carry, despite being only 5'8", 140 lb. But that's my choice, and I fully recognize that my gun is way overkill for any realistic threat assessment of my life. For most folks, the WML will never get used, because living in an urban environment, you're almost always going to be in a relatively well-lit area, enough that you can get good shots off without needing a WML; bulk may be a far bigger issue in such a situation, considering the demographics of urban environments and the potential consequences of being made. If you live in a rural area, that calculus changes, so a WML may have more utility there... but most of the situations you listed (e.g., finding a prison escapee in your barn) is far closer to home defense than EDC.

So yeah, I'm always down when people add a WML. I just don't think it's a big deal when people don't have a WML.